Which one we recommend depends on what you're trying to do

Why do we have two browsers? - Pros and Cons - Recommendations

Why do we have two browsers?

Apple bundles the Safari browser with its operating system; it's a bit like automatically getting Internet Explorer when you buy a Windows machine. Although Safari has been designed to work very well with the Mac's operating system, it is not fully supported by all websites and web developers.

Firefox is an open-source browser, which means that there is no actual company which makes it, rather there is a community of developers who work on it. It is based on commonly accepted web standards, and thus is supported by most websites and web developers.

Which one you choose is mostly a matter of taste, with a few exceptions noted below.

Pros and Cons

	PROS	CONS
SAFARI	Fast, stable, integrates well with the operating of the Mac Has an iPhoto integration where images can be added to iPhoto library directly from your browser displays PDFs right in your browser (vs downloading to desktop) better for downloading zip files and disk images	Not always supported by all websites
FIREFOX	Supported by most websites Offers a variety of toolbar plugins that integrate with other online applications.	Does crash from time to time Can't display PDFs they must be downloaded to be seen

Recommendations

• For Schoolwires (teacher websites): Firefox is recommended

• For Sapphire (teacher grading program): Firefox is fully supported, although Safari is functional

• For adding photos to iPhoto: Safari allows an option to add to iPhoto Library

• For using The Missing Manual or other sites with lots of PDF files to view Safari is recommended

• Wikispaces now offers a visual editor for Safari so Safari can be used for wikispaces.